Binge Drinking in Teens Linked to Higher Earnings Later in Life

According to a study conducted in 2025, drinking with friends in your late teens could actually boost your career prospects, despite the well-known dangers of binge drinking. Researchers at the University of Oslo tracked the drinking habits of over 3,000 Norwegians aged 13 to 31 for 18 years and found that those who started regularly binge drinking in their late teens and 20s later had higher levels of education and income compared to those who abstained or drank very little.

The study's lead author, Professor Willy Pedersen, suggests the "statistical findings are quite strong" and that alcohol use acts as a "marker of sociality" that comes with certain benefits. He points to the example of the Bullingdon Club at Oxford University, known for its excessive drinking but which has also produced several former UK prime ministers.

However, experts have urged caution, warning that even small amounts of alcohol can have significant negative health effects. Professor Paolo Deluca of King's College London noted the findings likely reflect differences in wealth and opportunity rather than any positive effects of alcohol itself. Psychotherapist Fiona Yassin also cautioned about the dangers of teenage binge drinking, which can impact friendships, increase aggression, and lead to other mental health issues.